Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

AuguSt 2008

Gillespies

Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

Chapter One analySiS of thE WidEr arEa

Rutherglen is located south of, and in close proximity to the river Clyde. Rutherglen station is indicated by the red circle. The satellite image shows the high proportion of green space both within the Rutherglen area and surrounding areas, considering the close proximity to the major city of Glasgow. Also visible is the triangular woodland within the junction of railway tracks at Rutherglen station.

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ProPoSEd nEW traffic routES

Rutherglen will see significant changes in the near future with the developments associated with the M74 extension. The East End Regeneration Route, which has yet to get the go-ahead, is also shown. Rutherglen is relatively isolated from areas north of the river due to the limited number of river crossings. The new motorway will aggravate this situation. The embankments to the motorway will effectively be a barrier between Rutherglen and areas to the north, with openings only to accommodate existing roads. Views from Rutherglen to Glasgow and the Campsie Fells will be obscured in places by the motorway.

However, Rutherglen Railway Station will be in a position to become a key link between areas to the north and south of the M74 extension. The new roads will also benefit Rutherglen by taking through traffic away from Main Street, the principal shopping street in the town.

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futurE uSES

Currently, the uses south of the station are largely residential and mixed use, and uses north of the station are employment. The area of mixed use shown in Rutherglen town centre approximates to the Conservation Area, which contains a variety of residential, retail, employment and other uses.

North of the station, there has been a reduction of employment uses on some sites due to the construction of the M74 extension. However, the new Rutherglen Park has replaced this to a certain extent. Rutherglen Park also includes a large retail facility. Future uses as indicated by the development strategies currently under consideration include: Business and employment uses in the Shawfield area. Residential and mixed uses in the Farme Cross / Cuningar Loop area. Residential and mixed uses on the Commonwealth Games site. Imuya animal based visitor attraction - a large, national / international scale visitor attraction which is being considered by the Royal Zoological Society and which is currently seeking funding.

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Public tranSPort

Future uses from the various development strategies are likely to increase the use of Rutherglen station significantly, with new customers from areas to the north west and north east of the station. Currently the railway station is used for local trains stopping at Rutherglen services from Larkhall/ Hamilton to Glasgow Central (low level) and through to Helensburgh/ Milngavie. Local trains from Glasgow Central (high level) pass through the station to Mount Vernon, Baillieston and Whifflet, but do not stop at Rutherglen. There are currently no plans to reinstate a stopping service. Express trains pass through Rutherglen on the West Coast Main Line between Glasgow and London.

The principal bus routes to central Glasgow are also shown. There is no provision for taxis near the station at present.

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Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

PEdEStrian and cyclE routES

Glasgow City Council have issued a Core Path Network Plan, a basic network of paths around Glasgow to link and support the wider network of other paths around the city. Core paths are the most popular paths and /or key routes that link communities or provide access to local facilities as well as parks and greenspaces. South Lanarkshire Council is in the process of developing a draft Core Path Plan. This core path network is supported by Sustrans, the national cycle network charity.

There is an existing pedestrian and cycle route along the north bank of the river called the Clyde Walkway. The opportunity exists for a path on the south side of the river, stretches of which are partially completed. It is suggested that an alternative route be considered for the south side as indicated. Pedestrian and cycle routes to the station are also shown, indicating the current difficulties of access to the station from areas to the north, (requiring significant detours).

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Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

Green Space network

Richmond Park

Glencairn Football Pitches

Riverside Green Links Existing Parks /Open Spaces Potential Green links

The Clyde Gateway Green Network Strategy, by Land Use Consultants, proposes a vision for the integration of the Green Network within the regeneration of Clyde Gateway. It describes ways in which the Green Network will contribute to the Gateways future environmental quality, community vitality and economic success. It highlights the opportunity to create a unique, distinctive and high quality urban environment close to the centre of Glasgow. The core of the strategy is the Clyde Riverside Corridor which forms a spine into which other green spaces should be linked. Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan identifies the River Clyde as a strategic element of the Green Network and a key contributor to regeneration by providing a continuous and high quality green corridor, drawing on the rivers recreation and biodiversity potential.

Aspirational links are shown where relevant to Rutherglen station. These would link Rutherglen station with Burnhill Open Space/ Richmond Park to the west and the Clyde to the north.

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Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

Chapter twO analySiS of thE immEdiatE vicinity

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toPoGraPhy

Rutherglen is on a glacial ridge, consisting of river terraces and glacially deposited hills, called drumlins. In the West End of Glasgow housing was typically built on top of these to exploit the views. Rutherglen town centre is on higher ground than the industrial areas to the north, near to the Clyde and the ground descends gradually down to the river. This change in height is particularly apparent at the Railway Station, with a steep wooded bank down to the level of the platforms.

Areas of potential flooding are identified in the Clyde Gateway Integrated Water Plan (Hyder Consulting). The principal areas affected are between Farme Cross and the river. Construction of the Rutherglen Park development has included appropriate flood defences.

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m74 ExtEnSion land-takE

The coloured areas show the land that has been acquired for the construction of the motorway.

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m74 ExtEnSion

The diagram shows the latest planning drawings for the motorway, including the junction at Cambuslang Road and the embankment for the six lane motorway. Bridges are shown over Farmeloan Road, the railway station and Glasgow Road. A significant alteration to the local road network is the replacement road for the existing Quay Road, a road to access the employment area north of the motorway. A visualisation shows the bridge over the railway station itself. The bridge crosses not only the railway lines and platform but also Queen Street to the west of the station, and also the track leading from the station to the Bridgeton Bank Sidings along the side of the railway tracks.

QUEEN STREET

Track to Bridgeton Bank Sidings

Visualisation of motorway bridge from the design guidelines for the M74 extension.

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buS circulation

Buses are well used in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area. The 2001 census revealed that 10% travelled to work by rail and 19% by bus. However there is a lack of clear routes between the bus stops and the station.

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GrEEn SPacE nEtWork

In the context of the Clyde Gateway Green Network Strategy areas in the vicinity of the station are shown which could serve to form strategic green links. Current planning policy recognises the importance of waste ground in urban areas. Large areas of waste ground in urban areas have frequently been colonised by a range of species which have exploited the varied substrates to produce valuable ecosystems. Disused tracks and embankments can support diverse habitats and serve as corridors with recreational potential.

Given that the use of the triangular space between the railway lines is not seen as feasible for car parking, there would be much to recommend a policy of securing this area as part of the green network.

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lyde er C Riv

E B
Shawfield

M 74

F 7

A C D

Farme Cross

6 1

5 4
Aspirational Routes

Rutherglen Main Str eet

1
This diagram shows the desired footpath and cycle network as a blue dotted line. The numbered circles represent proposals that are illustrated in the following pages. These include new links to complete this network, and improvements to existing links.

Short Term Strategies Medium Term Strategies

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Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

ProPosals 1 -7

de r Cly Rive

Dal n mar ock d Roa

Shawfield

5 3 2

6 1

Rutherglen Main Str eet

Fa r

el

oa

M 74

t tree Queen S

Ro a
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Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

ProPosal 1 Improvements to Castle street

Benefits:
Rive
r Cly

de

User groups that will benefit include station users from Rutherglen itself and visitors by rail to Rutherglen from elsewhere. The proposal will increase the attractiveness of Rutherglen as a shopping area and also as a potential location for employment. This will encourage an increase in commuters to Rutherglen as well as an increase in numbers of commuters from Rutherglen. An upgrading of the Conservation Area would produce economic and environmental benefits for residents and business users. Improvements

M74

to Castle Street can be seen as part of this overall strategy. Potential Legal/ Practical hindrances: Current car parking arrangement at the corner of Castle Street and King Street.

1
Rutherglen Main Str eet

The necessary alterations to traffic priorities to create a pedestrian friendly street. The use of vacant lots within the conservation area as car parking should not be seen as a permanent arrangement, because originally these would have been building facades. Therefore over the long term

This is the principal route between Main Street and Rutherglen Station and as such it is well used. The pedestrian environment on this important route is visually incoherent and it is not clear that the route leads to the station. Traffic barriers obstruct pedestrian flow. Poorly placed highway signage blocks views of existing railway station signage and the railway building itself is not visible on this approach. Therefore the station should be announced from Main Street, at the station entrance and also at the junction with King Street. Recommendations: Beacon Structures At the junction of Main Street and Castle Street a kiosk type structure. At the junction of King Street and Castle Street a totem type structure. At the junction of Victoria Street and Castle Street a pavilion type structure. Street Surface Improvements: Northern section: New high quality shared surface, with appropriate bollards and street furniture. Southern section: The quality of the existing street surface of this section is acceptable. Existing pedestrianised street surface retained. Lighting: Remove highway lighting and replace with more closely spaced pedestrian scale lighting. Trees: Small crowned street trees Other Improvements: Removal of barriers and superfluous signage Indicative Cost Estimate: 892,000. 32

the building lines to the street should be restored with appropriate development, or at the very least with high quality walls or fencing. Although redevelopment of vacant plots is outwith the scope of this study, some marking of the desired building line by low walls or surface treatment of the pavement should be undertaken as part of the public realm works. In the case of Castle Street the edge of the Salvation Army car park would need treatment (e.g. a low wall) to establish a coherent edge to the street.

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proposal 1

Beacon tree light street edge

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proposal 6

Existing station forecourt looking towards station entrance

Castle Street

Beacon tree light

Existing station forecourt looking towards Castle Street

Note: Beacons are not included in the cost estimate for this option. They are shown for information only because they are costed in Proposal 1.
Reuther Hall building

Looking from Castle Street towards Reuther Hall building

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proposal 7

light Grass & low ornamental planting

Station Entrance

Existing pathway looking towards station entrance (hidden)

Entrance to station

Existing pathway looking back to stairs and railway bridge

Existing fence

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ProPosals a-F

de r Cly Rive

E B
Shawfield

ma Dal c rno ad k Ro

Rutherglen Main Str eet

Fa r

t tree S Queen

el

oa

M 74

Ro a
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Farme Cross

Rutherglen Railway Station Access Strategy

ProPosal a ImProvements to lInk From Farme Cross /rutherglen Park

Benefits: Existing residents and business users of Farme Cross and areas to
Rive

de r Cly

the northeast of the station will benefit from this proposal, providing that that there is access to the station (see proposal B). This area is experiencing high levels of redevelopment interest and is likely to see significantly higher levels of pedestrian & cycle traffic. Potential Legal / Practical hindrances:

A
Alley
M74

Lloyd k Roa d

Road

Agreement with property owners would be necessary in order to acquire rights of way over the unused strip of land. Creating the link to Farmeloan Road would require the acquisition of currently underused employment land, however the redevelopment of the frontage of Farmeloan Road for residential purposes would be an opportunity to establish this link. Alternatively routes using Lloyd Street and Alleysbank Road could be used, which would require the acquisition of small strips of land that are currently in employment use.

sban

Rutherglen Main Str eet

The creation of this route would benefit Farme Cross and the Rutherglen Business Park. Alternative routes could be created along Lloyd Street and Alleysbank Road but this would require acquisition of existing or proposed employment land. The option shown uses existing underused land, with alternative access either from Farmeloan Road or Lloyd Street. Recommendations: Surface Improvements: New footpath/ cycleway, with appropriate bollards. Lighting: New pedestrian scale lighting at close intervals. Landscaping: Clearance of existing vegetation along length of path, retaining the best of the trees. Low level ornamental planting/ hedge, grassed area. Indicative Cost Estimate: 198,000.

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ProPosal a

Beacon tree grass & low ornamental Planting hedge

ROA D

NOCK

R DA L M A

LLO

YD STR

C FARME A M BU CROSS SL

BA

EET

RO

NA

LD

ST

RE

AN

ET

ALL

E YS

BAN

KR OAD

Aerial View

FA

RM

ELO

AN

RO

AD

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ProPosal B

Existing path beside Bridgeton Bank sidings

Bridgeton Bank sidings looking towards Dalmarnock Bridge

tree light

Bridgeton Bank sidings looking back to railway station

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ProPosal E BrIdge ConneCtIon to north Bank CyCleway usIng exIstIng struCture

Benefits:
de r Cly Rive

The principal benefit of this proposal is that it ties together Rutherglen and South Lanarkshire to Dalmarnock. Not only does it open up new routes for cyclists and pedestrians but it also links Rutherglen and its station to areas north of the Clyde, Dalmarnock and the Commonwealth Games village.

Farme Cross
M74

As the aspirational cycleway on the south side of the Clyde remains only partially complete, the bridge connection links the areas surrounding Rutherglen to the national cycle network.

The existence of the original bridge structure would mean that a new lightweight structure could be suspended between the existing supports to provide this link.

Users that will benefit will be existing residents of Farme Cross and Dalmarnock but also the users of future regeneration developments in Shawfield, Dalmarnock and Farme Cross.

Rutherglen Main Str eet

The bridge could be the subject of a design competition to achieve an iconic structure to achieve a high technical solution and provide a striking feature at a focal point for The Clyde Gateway.

Bridge connection to north bank cycle way using existing unused bridge supports (old Dalmarnock railway bridge) to create link between south bank of river and existing footway on north bank of river. Recommendations: Bridge: New pedestrian bridge to cross river. 65m approx. span Footpath: Existing footpath link upgraded to serve as cycle way, new signage. Lighting: New pedestrian scale lighting to bridge. Landscaping: Clearance of existing vegetation along length of path to provide better sightlines Indicative Cost Estimate: 4,980,000. Potential Legal/ Practical hindrances: Issues related to using the tunnel underneath the railway line may need to be addressed to replicate the situation on the north bank, where the cycle route uses the existing arches below the railway viaduct. This would allow completion of the link to areas east of the railway line (Proposal B). Load bearing capacity and condition of the existing structure would have to be investigated.

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ProPosal e

Structure of old Dalmarnock Bridge

Aerial View of Old & New Dalmarnock railway bridge

light

New pedestrian bridge using existing structure (Sheffield)

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ProPosal F new PedestrIan BrIdge

Benefits:
Rive

Provides connections between the Shawfield and Farme Cross residential and business areas, both of which are receiving considerable regeneration interest in anticipation of the Commonwealth Games.

de r Cly

Allows access to the station from the north and could replace the unsatisfactory access routes from Queen Street (proposal 7) and from Farmeloan Road (proposal D).

Shawfield

F
M74

Farme Cross

The bridge could be the subject of a design competition to achieve an iconic structure to achieve a high technical solution and provide a striking feature at a focal point for Rutherglen.

The proposal allows the dangerous and highly disruptive level crossing for users of the First training centre to be removed.

Potential Legal / Practical hindrances: The structure in the position shown would have to be large enough to span several railway tracks and their overhead electric lines.
Rutherglen Main Str eet

The option of attaching the bridge to the motorway construction should be investigated; however it is likely that a much larger bridge would be required with difficult access to the platforms. Furthermore the M74 construction has already commenced and therefore a

Bridge connection provides link between Shawfield and Farme Cross, as recommended in the South Dalmarnock & Shawfield Strategic Study and Implementation Plan. It can potentially provide access to the central platform of the railway station from both these areas. Recommendations: Bridge: High quality steel/ glass construction, including stair towers on both sides and potential stair access to central platform. The bridge must be high enough that it avoids the overhead electric supply to the railway lines and construction would have to be programmed so that the normal running of the rail services is not disrupted. Lighting: New pedestrian scale lighting to bridge and approaches. New pedestrian signage. Indicative Cost Estimate: 9,821,000

separate pedestrian/ cycle bridge may well be preferable. Acquisition of rights over land and air rights currently owned by Network Rail would be necessary. Security issues related to the adjacent railway lines would need to be addressed.

Birdseye view

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ProPosal F

Existing level crossing for use of railway personnel Dalmarnock Bridge

View from railway platform towards Dalmarnock bridge

Beacon light

New pedestrian bridge over railway at Stirling

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It is also recommended that the public realm improvements to Farmeloan Road have priority, given the current level of interest in regeneration in this area.

These three proposals are recommended as priorities for action. Although they might have higher cost implications than some other proposals, as stand alone proposals they would cover a lot of the strategic aims described above. They are the pivotal options which by stimulating the regeneration of the conservation area /future development and linking Rutherglen to the Farme Cross area, would establish a solid base line for the implementation of other proposals.

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